Amy Remeikis reports in the Brisbane Times (26.2.16) that state MP Jarrod Bleijie could become the third LNP member this month to ‘jump ship’ and nominate for a seat in the federal Parliament. Bleijie, the member for Kawana and former Attorney-General in the Newman Government, is apparently considering nominating for the federal seat of Fisher, after incumbent Mal Brough indicated he would not contest this year’s federal election.
This comes as the Courier-Mail reports (27.2.16) on seven former LNP MPs, five of them one-term members, looking to resurrect their political careers via next month’s local council elections after losing their seats at the 2015 state election. As one of this group was reported to have said, “we don’t have the Campbell Newman factor this time”, further indicating upheaval in LNP ranks and pointing to continuing party unease over the 2015 election loss.
‘Queensland MP Mal Brough’s departure from federal politics may see a third state LNP MP consider a Canberra tilt, with sources confirming former attorney-general Jarrod Bleijie is weighing up his options.
‘Former deputy premier Jeff Seeney and agriculture minister John McVeigh have both formally nominated for pre-selection in Wide Bay and Groom.
‘Mr Brough’s announcement on Friday that he will not be contesting Fisher in the upcoming election opens up a third Queensland seat.
‘LNP sources have confirmed Mr Bleijie, currently the state member for Kawana, is “considering his options” regarding a move to Canberra.’